Paul’s Parting Sermon - Part 2

Download the discussion questions (PDF) or see them listed below. We highly encourage you to listen, think, and talk about the sermon. These are questions you can reflect on by yourself, with your family, or with your small group.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. In Paul’s final address to the Ephesian elders, he urges them to pay careful attention to themselves. What do you think Paul meant by this and why would he exhort the elders in this way? What should this tell us about our own church leaders, and how we can support them?

2. In addition to watching over themselves, Paul also tells the elders to care for the church of God. What do you think this includes? How are the elders of a church supposed to care for its members? What should the elders’ primary motivation be as they minister to God’s people?

3. Paul warns the elders of fierce wolves that will come to attack the church. Who were these wolves and where did they come from? What is the best protection against “fierce wolves” and what is the best way to know when something is fake?

4. In verses 32-35, Paul assures the elders that he had no ulterior motives (coveting their silver, gold apparel) but instead wanted to model for them God’s design that it is better to give than to receive. How should this act as both an encouragement and a warning to us as we seek to serve the Lord? What ulterior motives might we have when doing ministry?

5. Paul entrusts the elders to the care and protection of God and His word of grace. Why is this word of grace absolutely critical for the church? Why must the elders of the church especially be consumed by the word of grace if they are to succeed and finish well in their calling?

6. With whom would you shed the most tears when saying a final goodbye and why? What do the tears shed by the Ephesian elders say about Paul’s ministry to them and what does this teach us about how we ought to minister to others